007. [Text/Action for Violet City]

[explosivecombat]

[TEXT]

I ask that you forgive the morbidity of the question, but I find that there are some things that can't exactly go unasked -

I've heard rumors that if one dies in Johto, one doesn't exactly remain that way; has anyone actually proven this? If so, whom, and by what means?

[ACTION]

[Early afternoon in Violet City will see Kimblee dressed like quite possibly the world's most pretentious horseback rider, what with the black pants tucked into the pale grey knee-high boots, an amber shirt that's perhaps far too nice for the occasion, and the usual thick gloves over his hands, the ends of which disappear neatly under his sleeves. It would look halfway appropriate were he in the company of...I don't know, a Rapidash or something similar, but instead he's got Carlisle out in front of him. Kimblee seems to be checking over his murder mammoth, who's been at a bit less than 100% after almost a week of constant pushing to get to Violet City in the first place; however, after several days' rest, he seems to be doing fine. Kimblee is singing to himself as he circles the creature; it's not entirely perfect, but it's a decent mimickry of the tune Emmy was singing a few days ago.

Either way, he doesn't seem to be bothered by the fact that holy balls it's cold out here; hell, he's not even Blofelding it up with his Pineco right now. Obviously, whatever it is he's doing, he's a man on a mission. Or something.]

Comments

[explosivecombat]

[...there's something about the way Archer says it that doesn't settle right. Usually Archer can at least remember the thing that set him off, even if it was relatively ridiculous; this isn't sounding like he's just trying to avoid the topic, either, and he'd just said that they're actually going to try to discuss this. So he genuinely doesn't remember her saying anything, but was apparently still feeling...possessive? This is definitely reading as possessiveness...

...and that's about when things start clicking.

Of course she's interested.

You're going to leave me for her, aren't you?

...oh.

But that...that can't be right, can it? He's never had interest in men, and as such he doesn't usually default to assumine that there's any sort of...well, genuine interest being thrown at him; at the same time, there are things happening that don't exactly add up any other way.

Oh. What do you even...say to something like that...?]

Archer...

[determinator]

What?

[It's a lot less angry this time around, but he's still defensive. He's very familiar with that expression - it says he's screwed up again. What did he even do this time? Outside of be a possessive little bitch, but that's nothing new.]

[explosivecombat]

[...all right. It's still possible that he's misreading this somehow, isn't it? Of...of course. There's another explanation that he hasn't seen yet; there has to be. For now, however, this explains the strange behavior; there's nothing left to discuss.

Right?

He turns his attention back to Carlisle while he considers what to say to any of this; he decides against saying anything at all.]

If we want to reach Cherrygrove City in a reasonable amount of time, we should set out now. We should be capable of reaching our destination in three days' time; we'll be back within the week if we force it and don't waste time.

[determinator]

[Well, whatever it is he's done, Kimblee seems to have decided against talking about it now. He's actually relieved about that and nods.]

Of course. Let's go.